Project Overview

MATTONE challenges the status quo of urban living by addressing the realities of today’s housing and climate challenges. Homes shouldn’t just look good—they should work for the people who live in them and the world they inhabit.

MATTONE respects Richmond’s historic charm while elevating its potential. Nestled within the Golden Square heritage precinct, the design intentionally reflects the industrial and Victorian styles of the area. From its elegant brick facades to its thoughtfully landscaped gardens, MATTONE doesn’t impose itself on the streetscape—it integrates seamlessly, adding a layer of modern sophistication that complements Richmond’s heritage.

Each residence is fossil fuel-free, powered by solar panels and energy-efficient heat pumps, with thoughtful design elements like passive shading, north-facing living spaces, and thermal insulation. These features don’t just lower energy bills—they reduce household CO2 emissions by up to 30 tonnes a year, the equivalent of planting 1,500 trees annually. This is sustainability in action.

MATTONE embraces the 20-minute neighbourhood concept, where residents can meet their daily needs within a short walk. From cafes and shops to green spaces and schools, everything is within reach. Want to cycle along the Yarra, catch a game at the MCG, or stroll through nearby parks? It’s all part of the lifestyle this development supports.

As developers and builders, we ensure every detail meets our rigorous standards. From a unique 52-week quality guarantee—far exceeding the industry standard 90 days—to in-house maintenance ready to address any issue, we deliver homes designed to last.

Organisation

CADRE

Team

Cadre - Developer
Tycorp - Builder
MAArchitects
Landscape Architect - Florian Wild
Sales - Marshall White Projects

Project Brief

Richmond’s history is woven into its tree-lined streets and Victorian terraces, a suburb where old-world charm meets modern vibrancy. MATTONE is our seamless addition to this community, echoing the area’s industrial and architectural roots while introducing contemporary innovations responding to today’s living needs. MATTONE is a bold step forward in redefining urban living for Melbourne.

As a future-focused alternative to outdated building practices that contribute to environmental degradation, these ten fossil fuel-free residences are a new standard for sustainability, functionality, and design. It’s our clarion call to challenge the status quo.

MATTONE is designed with people in mind. North-facing living spaces mean natural light floods each home. Private terraces and shared laneways are thoughtfully laid out for privacy and a sense of connection.

MATTONE is a deeply personal project. As a family with generations of experience in property development, we’ve always felt a responsibility to do more than build houses. We want to create spaces that genuinely improve the way people live, work, and connect.

Richmond holds a special place in our hearts. It’s an area rich with history and community spirit, and we saw an opportunity to respect that legacy while bringing something truly forward-thinking to the table. We’ve been involved in every step, working alongside the best minds in architecture and landscaping, like MAArchitects and Florian Wild, to shape a development that looks incredible, designed to last and adapt to the future.

Project Innovation/Need

MATTONE shows homes can be sustainable and luxurious. We’ve taken an uncompromising approach to sustainability. From being 100% fossil fuel-free to integrating solar panels and pre-wiring for EV chargers, every detail to achieve a net-zero future and a leap toward future-proofed living.

MATTONE’s design embraces the concept of the 20-minute neighbourhood, allowing residents to live locally with access to schools, shops, cafes, parks, and public transport all within walking distance. Richmond’s Golden Square precinct is the perfect backdrop for this vision.

Nestled between the Yarra River, bustling Swan Street, and peaceful green spaces, MATTONE is a unique balance of urban connectivity and natural retreat. People can step out their front door and within minutes be cycling along the Yarra Trail, enjoying a round of golf, exploring boutique cafes, or catching a tram to the CBD. The proximity to everything saves time and money and is the foundation for healthier, more active lifestyles.

MATTONE isn’t just located in a convenient pocket of Melbourne—they’re designed to make the most of it. With features like walkable streets, bike storage, and a central laneway to encourage neighbourly interactions, central to our priorities of creating a sense of connection and community.

The residences’ thoughtful design merges functionality with elegance. Bespoke joinery–concealed cocktail bars and work-from-home amenities, reflects modern living needs while retaining a refined aesthetic. Using natural materials, operable timber screens, and expansive glazing connects indoor and outdoor spaces, for homes that breathe with their surroundings.

Design Challenge

MATTONE is about rethinking how we approach housing developments altogether. When you make a statement as bold as ours, you challenge traditional mindsets and moving away from the status quo in how homes are built and how communities are imagined, it causes friction.

Reintroducing brick as the cornerstone of our design was challenging especially in an industry that leans toward cheaper, short-term building materials. We saw the value in its longevity, sustainability, and timeless beauty. A brick’s life expectancy surpasses 100 years. It was a conscious decision to reject the disposable mindset and embrace quality.

Shifting perceptions about community where high fences and digital screens dominate was always going to be a challenge. We wanted to show community is a way of living. By incorporating a central laneway encouraging neighbourly interactions, shared green spaces, and design elements like passive surveillance, MATTONE pushes against the isolating tendencies of modern suburban developments. Homes can be private yet connected, and relationships beyond the virtual are achievable and desirable.

The idea of fossil fuel-free homes with features like EV readiness, solar panels, and advanced insulation isn’t yet standard practice, it should be. Our choices set a benchmark for future developments.

Challenging people’s mindsets—what a home should look like, how it should function, or what community means—was no small feat. These challenges not as obstacles but opportunities to lead the way forward. We’re proud to create something that doesn’t just stand out, it stands for something.

Sustainability

Fossil-Fuel-Free: Energy-efficient electric systems:
Heat pump hot water systems, reduce energy usage–up to 75%.
Induction cooktops/energy-efficient appliances.

Solar Integration: Standard, harness renewable energy. Reduce reliance on the grid.

Thermal Comfort:
Advanced insulation–walls/roofs. Reduce heating/cooling needs.
Thermally broken windows. Prevent heat transfer–summer/winter.
Passive shading, north-facing living spaces. Maximise natural light/warmth.

Water Conservation:
Rainwater harvesting systems. Irrigation/toilet flushing.
Drought-tolerant native plant species–landscaping, maintained with automated irrigation systems.

Material Selection:
Bricks–durability, low embodied carbon.
Natural materials—timber/stone; resilience/timeless appeal.

Neighbourhood Design:
Meet most daily needs within a 20-minute return walk.
Walking, cycling, public transport use. Reduce car dependency/emissions.

Health/Wellness:
Walkable access–parks, gardens, recreational facilities.
Increase physical activity. Reduce disease burden through active living.

Community Focus:
Central laneway, thoughtful landscaping—more casual social interactions.
Open spaces designed for gatherings.

Energy Efficiency:
Heating/cooling costs. 500% lower than a typical Victorian terrace, saving $433 annually.
Reduced household CO2 emissions–up to 30 tonnes annually, equivalent to planting 1,500 trees/year.

Future-Proofed Homes:
Pre-wired—electric vehicle chargers, eliminating costly retrofits.
Built to exceed NatHERS standards, achieving ratings up to 7.9 stars.

Durable Design:
Homes designed to last a lifetime, reduce costly repairs/replacements.
Low-maintenance materials/systems.

Smart Technology Integration:
Automated irrigation systems. Efficient water use.
Kill switch at the front door. Power down non-essential systems when leaving the home.
Concealed heating/cooling systems seamlessly integrated into joinery.

Cross-Flow Ventilation:
Natural cooling, reducing reliance on air conditioning.

Composting and Waste Reduction:
Reduce food waste/lower landfill impact.